France, Jamaica Honour HMCI Head

Building and planning with potential hazards in mind not only reduces a country's vulnerability, but also contributes to national development.

—Dr. Barbara Carby, Director Hazard Management Cayman Islands

Published 23rd October, 1:50pm

The Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), Dr Barbara Carby, has recently received two international honours for her work in the field of disaster management.

Dr Carby, a 20-year veteran in the field of emergency preparedness and mitigation, has been appointed Knight in the National Order of Merit by the French government for her "remarkable contribution...to tighten the bonds between France and Jamaica," reads a letter from the French Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.

This Order was established in 1963 by French General Charles de Gaulle to award French citizens for their outstanding achievements in public office, whether civil or military. However, foreigners also are eligible to receive this honour, in recognition of their dedication to promote ties between their country and France.

The Governor-General of Jamaica also conferred the honour of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) upon Dr Carby. As stated in a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the honour was given in recognition of her "dedicated service in the field of disaster management."

National Hurricane Committee Chairman Donovan Ebanks commended Dr. Carby on these outstanding awards, saying: "It is clear that her work in the field of hazard management has been widely recognized and appreciated at the highest level. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to benefit from her expertise at this crucial time in the establishment of our own agency."

Collecting such high profile international honours is no small feat for someone who started in the field of disaster management "by accident."

Dr Carby explains: "After I finished my doctoral studies in geochemistry, I was contacted by the then-Director in Jamaica's Office of Disaster Preparedness in Kingston, Franklin McDonald. He offered me a job, and I took on the challenge, although I knew nothing about disaster management."

Although her background in geology stood her in good stead as a scientific basis for some hazards, Dr Carby "mostly learned as I went along," she admits.

Dr Carby cites Mr McDonald and his successor, Mr John McFarlane, as her mentors and inspiration.

After years of experience in the field, Dr Carby concludes that mitigation is the key to any national disaster programme. "Building and planning with potential hazards in mind not only reduces a country's vulnerability, but also contributes to national development.

"Mitigation limits loss of life and property, and is proven to build resilient populations and infrastructure, thereby strengthening the economy as a whole," she says. "It is virtually impossible to separate it from national development."

Countries will also do well to diversify their economies in order to better survive catastrophes, she adds.

Dr Carby sees HMCI's role as that of "a national office that ensures synergy between public, private and voluntary sectors, in order to strengthen Cayman's disaster response and recovery plans."

To young people in the field, she advises, "Sell the vision of hazard management to policymakers. Make them the champions of mitigation and you cannot fail."

Although Dr Carby sees herself shifting her involvement in the field to be more community oriented, for now she is still actively and passionately engaging people in national mitigation and preparedness.

"This is probably one of the best career paths one can take - the realization that one helps people to live better and safer lives, is a source of great satisfaction."

When she is not preparing for any disasters, Dr Carby spends time in her other passion - dog training. She also writes, and she dabbles in photography.

For further information contact: Cornelia Oliver